A natural gas pipeline leak in San Diego caused thousands of homes and business within a half-mile radius to be evacuated.
A construction worker accidentally caused the commotion after he drilled into a 20-inch diameter pipeline around 10.35am near the Fashion Valley mall in Mission Valley, California, on Wednesday.
San Diego Gas and Electric crews worked to stop the gas from flowing from the pipe and were able to cap the line at approximately 6.15pm, spokeswoman Colleen Windsor claimed, according to San Diego Union Tribune.
A construction worker accidentally caused the commotion after he drilled into a 20-inch diameter pipeline in Mission Valley, California, on Wednesday
Repairs will begin once the gas is able to ‘bleed out’ from the pipe. But there is no estimate on when that will occur.
Five miles of Route 163 in Mission Valley were closed for several hours, adding to the chaos and creating an intense traffic mess.
Consequently, more than 1,000 customers will not have gas, including the Fashion Valley mall and four apartment complexes in the area.
3,300 people had to be evacuated as a result, with more than 1,000 homes being affected
More than 1,000 customers will not have gas, including the Fashion Valley mall and four apartment complexes in the area
A nearby PF Chang’s China Bistro and Container Store were among some of the first businesses to be evacuated by responding fire and police personnel.
Door-to-door evacuations and 911 reverse calls had to be implemented soon as residents were alerted that they had to leave the area.
It is estimated that 1,100 homes were in the evacuated area, with 3,300 people throughout the region also having to leave.
Two temporary evacuation shelters were set up by the Red Cross.
At approximately 2pm, CHP Officer Jake Sanchez claimed to still see gas coming from the rupture. He added that while he was only 500 yards from the pipe, he couldn’t smell any odor
SDG&E crews worked to stop the gas from flowing from the pipe and were able to cap the line at approximately 6.15pm